Compression-hydrant.



J. A. BOURKE. COMPRESSION HYDRANT. APPLICATION FILED APB.6, 1912.

Patented Dec. 9, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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6 E as E 17 1 716572 66666 f jivznfm" 99x41 mamv J. A. BOURKE COMPRESSION HYDRANT.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 6, 1912.

Patented Dec. 9, 1913.

2 SHEETS--SHEET 2.

UNITED sTATEsPATE rormoE.

JOSEPH a. nounx1i,. or Bosron, msacnusm'rs.

' commission-manta lowing to be a :full, clear, and exact descriptionofthe invention, 'such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it apper-- tains to make and usethe same.

.The invention relates to hydrants, and more particularly to fire hydrants of the compression type. I 4

The object of the invention is to provide a novel'and improved construction of main and auxiliary valve mechanism which will secure a practically unobstructed waterway when the main valve is opened, which will enable the pressure on.the main valve to be equalized in a uniform and reliable manner before the main valve is opened, and which will enable the main valve to be positively controlled by its operating mechanism, thus insuring its proper operation and avoiding chattering and sudden closing of the valve and consequent water hammer.

It is also the object of the invention to provide novel and improved means for preventing unwarranted use or misuse of the hydrant or of the operating parts and attachments with which the upper end is provided, and to generally improve the construction and arrangement of the parts of a fire hydrant. 4 To;these ends the invention consists in the featuresiofconstruction and combination of parts hereinafter described and referred to in the claims.

The features of the invention will be readily understood from an inspection of the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description of the hydrant illustrated therein. I Y

In the-drawings Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a hydrant embodyingthe invention in its preferred form; Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view on a larger scale, the

'standpi e of the hydrant being broken away; ig. 3 is a horizontalsectional detail on line 3*3, Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a half planview and half transverse sectional view on line 4-4, Fig. 2, showing the upper end of the hydrant, the protectf'lg hood being shown in section; Fin. 5 is a sectional view on line 55, Fig. 2 and Fig. 6 is a 860- ]tional detail showing a modified form of the drip and bypass passages and valve.

' the construction shown the hydrant casing com r ses-the main valve casing 1, the stand-pipe or barrel-2, and the head 3 sp we e f PatentedDec.9, 191a. Application fled April 6, ma. Iguanas which carries the hose nozzles 4 .and the.

:main valve operating mechanism. The main valve 5 'is rigidly secured to a spindle 6 and is arranged to engage a valve seat 7 which is screwed into the valve casing 1 and imay be of any suitable construction. The lower end of t e valve spindle 6 extends be ;low the valve 5 and is guided in a bushing 8 Qsecured in the valve casing 1. The lower- ;end .of' the spindle is polygonal and fits ;wrth n a correspondingly shaped hole in the bushing, sothat the valve spindle is not only supported and guided below the valve, but 11s firml held against any rotary movement. The v ve spindle is a rigid spindle the sec- .tions of whlch are firmly united in any suitlable manner. The spindle extends up through the standpipe 2 and its upper end {passes through a stufiing box 9 .on the head 3 and is enga ed by an operatin nut '10 -mounted on t e upper end of .t e head. 'The nut incloses the upper 'end of the spindle, and is provided with a hexagonal head '11 to receive an operating wrench. By thus constructing and guiding the main valve, a substantially -unobstructed waterway from the main to the stand-pipe is, rovided when :the valve is opened. The Va ve is also under positive control of the nut- 1O -s0 that the proper movement of'the valve toward and from the valveseat is insured, and-all lchattering of the valve or sudden closing of-the valve as it nears its seat is avoided.

The valve casing 1 is provided with a passage 12 communicating with the valve casing and stand-pipe directly above the valve seat, and this passage isin communication with a passage 13 extendinga valve casing 14 whichis secured to the s de ofthe valve casing 1. The assage 12 and its continuation 13 form a di-ip passa e for allowi-ing an water'which may leak y the valve 7 to ow awa from the hydrant. valve casing 1 1s also provided with a pas- .sage 15 communicating with the valve casing below the valve and also communicating WItll a passage 16 in the valve casing 1i .which in turn communicates with thepassage 13. The passage 15 and its continuation 16, together with the drip passage, form a bypassaround the main valve which may The be opened to equalize the pressure on the opposite sides of the valve and thus enable the valve to be readily opened by its operating mechanism. Communication through the drip passage and bypass is controlled by a 3-way valve 17 provided with the ports 18, 19 and 20. Under normal conditions when the main valve is closed the combined drip and equalizing valve 17 is in the position indicated in Figs. 2 and 3. When in this position-the bypass is closed and the drip passage is opened through the ports 18 and 20 to a drip pipe connected with the valve casing 14. When the main valve is to be opened the valve 17 is first turned through a quarter revolution clockwise, thus closing communication between the drip passage and the drip pipe and opening communication between the passages 12 and 16 through the ports 19 and 20. This opens the bypass around the main valve so that water may flow into the stand-pipe to equalize the pressure on opposite sides of the main valve. By turning the valve 17 through a second quarter revolution the drip pipe may be brought into communication with the main valve casing below the valve, thus allowing the water to be forced through the drip pipe to flush and clean it when desired.

The devices for operating the valve 17 comprise a valve stem or rod 21 extending from the upper end of the valve through a guide formed in the flange of the head 3. The upper end ofthe rod 21 is provided with a hexagonal nut 22 secured to the end of the rod and adapted to receive a wrench through which the rod may be turned to operate the valve.

To prevent access to the valve operating mechanisms, the hose nozzles and other parts carried by the head 3, a hood 23 is provided which fits over the head and incloses the parts carried thereby. One side of the hood 24 is arranged to pass inside of the valve rod 21, and the hood is provided at this side with lugs 25 adapted to pass on opposite sides of the rod. The hood is held in position on the head 3 by a latching finger 26 formed on the under side of the nut 22 and arranged to project over one of the lugs 25 when the equalizing valve is in position to close the bypass and open the drip. A cover 27 is hinged to the hood 23 and 1s arranged to inclose the upper end of the valve rod 21 and prevent access thereto. The lower end of the cover passes over a staple 28 and the cover may be locked in closed position by a padlock 29.

When the hydrant is to be used the padlock 29 is first removed and the cover 27 lifted to ive access to the operating mechanism of t e equalizing and drip valve. The

valve rod 21 is then turned through a quar-.

85 ter turn, thus bringing the latching finger 26 into the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 4. This closes the drip and opens the bypass so that the water from the main is allowed to flow into the stand-pipe and equalize the pressure on opposite sides of the main valve. After the equalizing valve has been thus opened the hood 23 may be removed, thus giving access to the operating Inechanism for the main valve and also to "the hose nozzles and their valves 30. The

main valve may be now opened, thus opening communication between the main and the stand-pipe of the hydrant, and the hose may be attached to the nozzles 4 and the valves 30 opened to admit the water to the hose. When the hydrant is to be put out of service the nozzle valves and main valve are closed and then the hood is placed in position. The valve rod 21 is'then turned into the full line position of Fig. 4, closing the bypass and opening the drip passage so that the water in the stand-pipe may flow away through the drip pipe. The cover 27 is then closed and locked, thus preventing access to the valve operating mechanisms and the parts on the upper end of the hydrant. The latch finger 26 is so arranged that it prevents the closing of the cover 27 so long as the bypass remains open and the drip passage closed. The opening of the'drip passage and closing of the bypass is thus insured when the hydrant is put out of service. One of the lugs 25 is provided with an upwardly projecting lug 31 which prevents movement of the latch finger 26 into improper position in operating the auxiliary valve, and'also pre vents the turning of the valve through more than substantiallya quarter revolution in opening the bypass and closing the drip when the hydrant is to be put into service. When the hood has been removed the valve may, however, be turned through a second quarter revolution to flush out the bypass and drip passage, as above explained. The valve must however be returned to proper normal position before the cover .27 can be closed and locked. I A

In Fig. 6 a slightly modified arrangement of the bypass and drip passages is shown, and the valve 17 in this construction is mounted in a bushing 32 secured in a projecting boss on the main valve casing 1. The bypass may be provided with screens 33 for preventing the 'flow of large particles of dirt or other matter into the bypass.

The head 3 at the upper end of the hydrant may be provided with one or more vent tubes 34 through whichthe air may be allowed to escapein equalizing the pressureon the mainvalve, and these pipesmay also be used to receive a pressure gage for indicating the hydrant pressure while the hydrant is in service. The stand-pipe 2 may be provided with a small nozzle 35 through' which the interior of the hydrantmay be inipected when the hydrant is out of service. n case the lower part of the hydrant 1s to be buried, theualizing and drip valves may be rotect by a. casin 36 and the valve ro may be protected ya tube 37.

fied without departing from the invention.-

Having explained the nature and object of the invention, and specifically described one form of mechanism in which it may be embodied, what I claim is 1. A compression hydrant, having, in combination, a stand-pipe, a valve casing, a main valve normally forced against its seat to close the valve by the pressure of water in the main pipe, an operating spindle for the main valve, extending up through the stand-pipe, means at the top of the standpipe for manuall operating the spindle, a main valve cham er located adjacent to the main valve and having passages leading therefrom above and below the main valve, and also provided with a drip passage, a valve supported in the valve chamber and provided with ports arranged to close the drip passage and connect the assages above and below the main valve to form a. bypass, or to close the passage below the valve and connect the passage above the valve with the drip passage, and mechanism for actuating the valve.

2. Acompression hydrant,having, in combination, a standpipe, a valve casing, a main valve normally forced against its seat to close the valve by the pressure of water in the main pipe, an operating spindle for the main valve extending up through the standpipe, means at the top of the standpipe for manually operatin the spindle, a valve chamber located adJacent to the main valve and having passages leading therefrom above and below the main valve and a drip passage, a valve supported in the valve chamber and provided with ports arranged to close the drip passage and connect the passages above and below the main valve to form a bypass, or to close the passage below the valve and connect the passage above the valve with the drip passage, or to close the passage above the valve and connect the passage below the valve with the drip passage, and mechanism for actuating the valve, substantially as described.

3. A compression hydrant, having, in combination, a fixed stand-pipe, a main valve casing provided with passages leading through its wall above and below the main valve, a main valve in the casing normally forced toward its seat by the pressure of the water against the valve, an o crating s indle for the main valve exten ing up t rough the stand-pipe, means at the top of the stand-pipe for manually operating the spindle, an auxiliary valve casin secured to the main valve casin and provided with a drip passage and wit passages registering with the passages through the wall of the main valve casing, a combined bypass and drip valve in the auxiliary valve casing provided with ports arranged to close the passage leading to the lower side of the valve and to connect the drip passage with the passage leading to the upper side of the main valve, or to close the dl'lp passage and connect the passages leading to the opposite sides of the main valve, and means for operating the drip and bypass valve, substantially as described.

4. A compression hydrant, having, in combination, a fixed stand-pipe, a main valve casing provided with passages leading through its wall above and below the main valve, a main valve in the casing normally forced toward its seat by the pressure of water against the valve, an operating spindle for the main valve extending up through the stand-pipe, means at the top of the standpipe for manually operating the spindle, an auxiliary valve casing secured to the main valve casing and provided with a drip passage and with passages registering with the passages through the wall of the main valve casing, a combined bypass and drip valve in the auxiliarv valve casing provided with ports arranged to close the passage leading to the lower side of the valve and to connect the drip passage with the passage leading to the upper side of the main valve, or to close the drip passage and connect the passages leading to the opposite sides of the main valve, or to close the passage leading to the upper side of the main valve and to connect the drip passage and the passage leading to the lower side of the main valve, and means for operating the drip and bypass valve, substantially as described.

5. A compression hydrant, having, in combination, a stand-pipe, a main valve, an operating spindle for the valve extending up through the stand-pipe, operatin mechanism at the upper end of the stan -pipe for said spindle, an equalizing valve, operating means therefor, and a hood covering the top of the hydrant the removal of which is controlled by the operating means for the equalizing valve, substantially as described.

6. A compression hydrant, having, in combination, a stand-pipe, a main valve, a spindle for the valve extending up through the stand-pipe, mechanism at the upper end of the valve for operating the spindle, a hood covering the top of the hydrant, and

an e ualizing valve-operating mechanism there or provided wlth means for retaining and for releasing the hood when the equalizing valve is opened, substantially as described.

7. A compression hydrant, having, in combination, a stand-pipe, a main valve, an operating spindle extending up through the stand-pipe, mechanism at the top of the stand-pipe for operating the spindle, a hood covering the top of the hydrant, an equalizing valve-operating mechanism therefor provided with means for retaining the hood when the equalizing valve is closed and for releasing the hood when the equalizing valve is opened, and a lock-controlled device for preventing the operation of the equalizin valve, substantially as described.

8. A compression hydrant, having, in combination, a stand-pipe, a main valve, an operating spindle extending up through the stand-pipe, mechanism at the upper end of the stand-pipe for operating the spindle, an equalizing valve-operating mechanism therefor, and means for preventing the operation of the main valve-operating mechanism when the equalizing valve is closed and permitting its operation when the equalizing valve is opened, substantially as described. the hood when the equalizing valve is closed 9. A compression hydrant, having, in combination, a stand-pipe, a main valve, an operating spindle for the valve extending up through the stand-pipe, operating mechanism at the upper end of the stand-pipe for said spindle, an auxiliary valve, operating means therefor, and a hood covering the top of the hydrant the removal of which is controlled bv the operating means for the auxiliary valve, substantially as described.

10. A compression hydrant, having, in combination, a stand-pipe, a main valve, an operating spindle extending up through the stand-pipe, mechanism at the upper end of the stand-pipe for operating the spindle, an auxiliary valve, operating mechanism therefor, and means controlled by the operating means for the auxiliary valve for preventing the o eration of the main valve operating mechanism when the auxiliary valve is in one position and permitting its operating when the auxiliary valve is in another position, substantially as described.

JOSEPH A. BOURKE.

Witnesses:

A. C. RICHARDSON, N. D. MCPHAIL. 

